The Protected Tactical Satellite Communications-Global awards are representative of a wider shift in Space Force acquisition strategy aimed at using commercial tech to speed new capabilities to the field.
Contracts for the next-generation Tranche 3, which will replace the earliest Transport Layer satellites, have been paused until the Space Force study is completed, five sources with knowledge of the program told Breaking Defense.
Blending superior optics, advanced stabilization and AI-powered autonomy in a compact and rugged system, ASELFLIR 600 delivers unmatched intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
Amazon Kuiper is building a space network that can withstand attacks by rapidly reconstituting capabilities.
HSA is aimed at creating a "hack-proof" internet in space comprising commercial and government SATCOM birds to underpin the Defense Department's Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control concept to link sensors and shooters in real time.
"We're very much complimentary to the Space Force and to the other services, but we truly do see space as that critical component to set the theater well in advance of phase one operations," Col. Donald Brooks, commandant of the Space and Missile Defense Center of Excellence, told Breaking Defense. "When the first round is shot, the missile is shot, space needs to be there months, if not years, in advance to help set those conditions."
"Every dollar invested brings asymmetric returns, while every cut risks asymmetric losses, given the continued advancements of the competitors, the Space Force budget needs more, not fewer, resources to do our job," said Gen. Michael Guetlein, Space Force vice chief.
Cybersecurity skills must evolve in near-real time as Zero Day threats continue and AI provides new challenges.
"As we look out into 2030, we know from all the Army warfighting concepts that we have to grow space capability, and we have to grow air defense missiles," SMD Commander Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey said.
Space industry analyst Todd Harrison said the $3.1 billion purchase is latest in a "shakeup" in the satellite communications landscape following the proliferation of LEO birds.
Maj. Gen. Michael Greiner said that the Space Force's initial plans are to develop four new Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global satellites, although those plans could change as the program is a new start for FY25.
It’s tempting to use AI to micromanage military operations from an all-seeing HQ. But experts warn the chaos of war means AI is best used to empower decentralized initiative — an area where the democratic West just might have the edge.
Consolidate network monitoring, performance management, and fault isolation into a single, comprehensive solution.
The company, a Google off-shoot, characterizes its Spacetime software as the "digital cartilage and autonomous brain" that can bring to life DoD's JADC2 concept linking sensors and shooters across all domains.
On Jan. 25, DoD announced that Lockheed Martin and Boeing have each won 15-month contracts worth $66 million to develop a new, more modern satellite design, with the service then deciding on which to use in building the two new MUOS birds.
A new constellation with laser comms and compatibility with the Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture is now taking shape.
Quasar Satellite Technologies is planning to open a US office in 2024, "most likely in Colorado," with the other option being in the Washington, DC area, CEO Phil Ridley told Breaking Defense.